Sourcing marine shaft liners from China
Marine propeller shaft liners classified under heading 8487 carry 0% UK duty from China across the listed material lines. The heading is residual, so confirm classification from the liner's function, material and manufacturing process before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources marine propeller shaft liners.
Zero duty where heading 8487 applies
Heading 8487 covers machinery parts without electrical features that are not specified elsewhere in the chapter. A shaft liner is a sleeve fitted around the propeller shaft. The table shows candidate material lines, subject to classification confirmation. The propeller and blade lines should not be selected simply because the liner serves a propeller shaft.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, all supplied lines carried 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied data records no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls. This tariff snapshot does not establish whether a liner meets the buyer's installation specification.
Heading 8487 is residual: identifiable machine parts and separately classified components need their own classification. Send the drawing, material and manufacturing process to your customs broker and confirm the commodity code. The code must appear on the import declaration. For the surrounding assembly, see ship stern tubes.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other cast iron parts, including eligible shaft liners | 8487 90 40 90 | 0% | None |
| Other cast steel parts, including eligible shaft liners | 8487 90 51 90 | 0% | None |
| Other forged iron or steel parts, including eligible shaft liners | 8487 90 57 90 | 0% | None |
| Other iron or steel parts, including eligible stainless steel shaft liners | 8487 90 59 90 | 0% | None |
| Other material parts, including eligible bronze shaft liners | 8487 90 90 90 | 0% | None |
Shaft fit, seal tracks and material
Specify whether the liner protects the shaft, provides a bearing running surface or forms a seal running surface. Supply the shaft drawing and mating seal or bearing details. Define the finished bore, outside diameter, length, wall thickness, roundness, concentricity, end geometry and surface finish at each working area.
State the alloy grade, manufacturing route, heat treatment and any coating. Agree the fitting method and dimensional acceptance with the shipyard or installation engineer. Ask for material certificates tied to the heat and a dimensional report for the sample. If final machining will follow shaft measurement, identify the machining allowance and who approves the finished dimensions.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of 40 forged steel marine propeller shaft liners under 8487 90 57 90, invoiced at £27,000 free on board, with £2,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £29,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £29,000, so it is £5,800. With no duty, the only import tax is the VAT, which a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Material: match certificates and identification to the ordered alloy and heat; check agreed hardness and defect-test results.
Fit: measure the bore, outside diameter and length; check roundness, concentricity and wall thickness against the approved drawing.
Running surfaces: inspect seal and bearing tracks for scratches, pores, dents and machining marks; measure the specified surface finish.
Packing: check end protection, moisture protection and movement restraints. Any solid wood packaging used must meet UK wood-packaging import requirements.
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What goes wrong
A correct nominal diameter can hide an oval bore or eccentric wall. Poor seal-track finish can damage seals, while scratches and casting pores can create leakage paths. Material substitution, an unsuitable coating or machining without the actual shaft dimensions can leave a liner unusable.
Approve the drawing and sample report before production. Keep each liner linked to its inspection records and protect the working surfaces during transport. On arrival, isolate damaged or out-of-tolerance liners before fitting. Agree inspection coverage through quality inspection.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For machinery and equipment, see machinery imports.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on marine shaft liners from China?
The supplied heading 8487 lines carry 0% duty from China, with no recorded anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Confirm that the liner belongs in this residual heading.
Do shaft liners use the same code as propeller blades?
Do not assume this. The supplied tariff separates propellers and blades from other machinery parts. Ask your broker to assess the liner's function, material and manufacturing process.
What drawing details does a shaft-liner factory need?
Provide the shaft and mating seal or bearing details, alloy, finished bore and outside diameter, length, fit, concentricity, surface finish and any machining allowance.
What should I check when marine shaft liners arrive?
Check material traceability, bore and outside dimensions, roundness, concentricity, seal-track finish and transit damage before installation.